AORN Foundation awards scholarships to AORN members and student nurses - Association of Operating Room Nurses

AORN Journal, Feb, 2002

AORN considers education to be extremely important. To help dedicated nurses achieve their professional goals, the AORN Foundation was formed in 1991 to secure scholarship funds for members pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. To address the critical nursing shortage, this year the Foundation established student nurse scholarships for individuals pursuing a career in nursing.

The Scholarship Board, whose members include Larry L. Asplin, RN, MS, CNOR, RT(R), chair; Betty I. Davies, RN, MS, CNOR; K. Lynn Kokiko, RN, BSN, MBA, CNOR; Linda J. Timmons, RN; and Susanne M. Whimer, RN, MEd, met in April 2001 to simplify the application process and to determine the best method of communicating the availability of funds to AORN members. The greatest challenge is informing potential nursing students and nursing schools that the new student scholarships are available. The Foundation looks to you, the members of AORN, for support in this area.

The Scholarship Board consists of a five-member team that reviews applications to determine whether specific criteria have been met. They use an objective scoring process with point values.

Foundation donors continue to recognize the importance of supporting nursing education. Gifts from individuals, corporations, and state councils help finance AORN member, endowed, and student nurse scholarships.

AORN member scholarships. AORN member scholarships include

* Ansell Healthcare Education Scholarship;

* AORN Foundation Education Scholarship;

* Certification Board Perioperative Nursing BSN Education Scholarship;

* Certification Board Perioperative Nursing Doctoral Degree Scholarship;

* Certification Board Perioperative Nursing Master's Degree Scholarship;

* Dan Sandel Education Scholarship;

* Davol, Inc, Education Scholarship;

* DeRoyal Education Scholarship;

* Dr Karl Storz Memorial Bachelor's Degree Scholarship;

* Dr Karl Storz Memorial Master's Degree Scholarship;

* Ethicon, Inc, Education Scholarship;

* Johnson & Johnson Medical Education Scholarship;

* Kimberly-Clark Education Scholarship;

* Linda Groah Novice Nurse Education Scholarship;

* McKesson HBOC Medical Group Education Scholarship;

* McKesson HBOC Medical Group MBA Scholarship;

* Olympus-America Education Scholarship;

* Oregon State Council Scholarship;

* Stackhouse, Inc, Bachelor's Degree Scholarship;

* Stackhouse, Inc, MBA Scholarship;

* STERIS Education Scholarship;

* Tyco Healthcare/Kendall-LTP Education Scholarship; and

* Zimmer Education Scholarship.

Endowed scholorships. Endowed scholarships include

* 3M Health Care Scholarship;

* Brenda C. Ulmer/Valleylab Scholarship;

* Certification Board Perioperative Nursing Scholarship;

* Dr Jane C. Rothrock RNFA Scholarship;

* Kimberly-Clark Endowed Scholarship (not awarded this year);

* Louisiana State Council of OR Chapters Scholarship;

* Michael D. Corley Memorial Scholarship, endowed by AORN's Exhibitors' Advisory Committee;

* Patricia C. Seifert Perioperative Nurse Internship Scholarship (not awarded this year);

* President George Bush Scholarship, endowed by AORN of Greater Houston;

* Ruth P. Shumaker Endowment; and

* William A. Clarke Education Scholarship.

Student nurse scholarships. Student nurse scholarships include

* Alcon Foundation Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Alliance Medical Student Nurse Scholarship;

* AORN Foundation OR Tech Student Nurse Scholarship;

* AORN Foundation Student Nurse Scholarship;

* AORN Golden Gavel Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Connie Ryan Student Nurse Education Scholarship;

* Cross Country Staffing Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Dennis R. Scanlan, Jr, Memorial Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Hill Rom Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Seabury & Smith Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Stackhouse, Inc, Student Nurse Scholarship;

* Stryker Instruments Student Nurse Scholarship; and

* Virginia State Council Student Nurse Scholarship.

Applying for scholarships. The application process is quite easy. An application, current resume or curriculum vitae (CV), three current letters of endorsement, a personal statement, official transcripts from the current or most recent program, and verification of institution accreditation are required. For RN first assistant (RNFA) applications, proof of successful completion of an RNFA program also is required. The most important things to remember include that applicants must

* be a member of AORN in good standing with membership maintained continuously for 12 months before the May 1 application deadline (except for student nurse applications);

* have a 3.0 grade point average; and

* be enrolled in an appropriate accredited institution for higher education.

Applicants are responsible for submitting all materials, including six copies of the application form, a resume or CV, a personal statement, three letters of endorsement, and a request for one copy of transcripts to be sent to the Foundation Scholarship Committee, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Denver, CO, 80231-3711. The deadline for submitting applications for 2002 scholarships is May 1,2002.